Can you get into a STEM college with a low score on the SAT math section?

<p>I got my SAT scores back and i got a 2140, with 740, 660, and 740.</p>

<p>I get great grades in mathematics classes in school (95+), but I always seem to have trouble with the SAT Math Section. I really want to be a civil engineer and I know I have to retake the SAT in October.. but I was just wondering.</p>

<p>First, 660 isn’t that low - it puts you in the 88th percentile, nationwide. Unless you are interested in one of the most selective colleges in the country, it won’t disqualify you.</p>

<p>But you might find it helpful to invest a few bucks in one of the many SAT prep books and work through the math section.</p>

<p>Well, just saying STEM schools is really vague. If you’re looking at hypercompetitive tippy-top tech schools like MIT and Caltech, than yeah, it is below what you’re looking for, but if you’re looking at less selective schools (ie, pretty much most other schools), it is a good score for the most part. If you are looking at top 50 schools, then your score is adequate, but raising it would be ideal. If you haven’t worked through the Blue Book, I would recommend that. :)</p>

<p>What do you mean by STEM schools? Do you mean…Cal Tech, MIT, RPI, etc? Or do you mean regular universities that admit by major??</p>

<p>Take the ACT…your math score may improve…math is less tricky on the ACT.</p>

<p>What do you mean by STEM schools? Do you mean…Cal Tech, MIT, RPI, etc? Or do you mean regular universities that admit by major??</p>

<p>Take the ACT…your math score may improve…math is less tricky on the ACT.</p>

<p>WPI, Stevens Istitute of Technology, RIT, Purdue, Clarkson and Georgia Tech are all “STEM schools” by most anyone’s definition and your math score fits into the middle 50th of admitted students. Cal Tech, MIT and RPI might be a stretch but you should be fine if you seek admission to the right match. Taking the ACT is also a very good suggestion.</p>

<p>Yeah I’m talking MIT RPI Carnegie Mellon University Harvard etc. Top 25 schools mostly. I just didnt know if they would see that I am good at math through the grades that I get in math classes on my transcript.</p>

<p>Oh yeah, for MIT you’ll need around a 700+ at the least, preferably more. Like I said, your scores aren’t bad by any stretch, but MIT and the like are hypercompetitive and usually only admit the top of the top. You would need a much better score, unless you have a major hook.</p>

<p>Like eveyone said, try the ACT. You did well in your previous math classes so you’re obviously not bad at math. The ACT has a lot more straightforward questions unlike the SAT which has trickier questions. Just beware - the ACT might be less tricky but you are more crunched for time and the math questions are on a Precalc/Trigonometry level.</p>

<p>yeah MIT and Caltech you have to retake for. Caltech and MIT’s 50% ranges for SAT Math are 740 - 800 and 760 - 800 so the avg SAT Math score for them is 760, 780 respectively. If you can’t make it into the 50% range, you’ll probably be rejected for a weak math background. (Unless of course you get a perfect on SAT II Math II which might redeem you)</p>